South Korea on Monday officially committed to reducing national carbon emissions by 40 percent of 2018 levels by 2030 ahead of the upcoming UN COP26 climate summit in Glasgow, a “very high” level of 26.3 percent compared to the initial target. Challenging” goal. aim “.
Last year, President Moon Jae-in promised the country would be carbon neutral by 2050 and unveiled a Green New Deal to create jobs and help the economy recover. coronavirus Global pandemic.
South Korea is one of the world’s most fossil-fuel-dependent economies, with coal accounting for 41 percent of the country’s electricity mix and renewables accounting for more than 6%. The Revised Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) is a “very challenging target”. South Korea compares to developed countries that have already been cutting emissions since the 1990s, Moon said at a presidential committee meeting on carbon neutrality.
“This is the most ambitious reduction target possible in our circumstances,” he said. He said an investment of 12 trillion won ($10.11 billion) was allocated for next year’s carbon neutrality budget.
The government aims to push the industry to reduce carbon emissions by reducing coal-fired power generation from 41.9 percent to 21.8 percent and renewable energy from 6.2 percent to 30.2 percent by 2030.
South Korea aims to have 4.50 million electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles on its roads by 2025, while adding more charging stations and infrastructure, the statement said.
Environmental groups gave little criticism of the goals. Greenpeace climate and energy campaigner Justin Jeong told Reuters The target should be increased to more than 50 per cent to meet the international targets.
COP26, starting October 31The goal is to secure more ambitious action from the nearly 200 countries that have signed the 2015 Paris Agreement to limit global warming to below 2.0 °C – and preferably 1.5 °C – above pre-industrial levels.
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